New anti-meth campaign targets Native American community

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. White House Office of National Drug Control Policy director Gil Kerlikowske on Wednesday unveiled a new anti-methamphetamine ad campaign that launched in New Mexico and in 14 other states with the largest Native American populations.

According to national data, meth use rates for American Indian/Alaska Native populations remain among the highest of any ethnicity -- almost two times higher than other groups, according to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Specifically, American Indians or Alaska Natives almost are twice as likely to have used meth in the past year than whites (1.1% vs. 0.6%) or Hispanics (1.1% vs. 0.6%), and approximately five times more likely to have used meth than African Americans (1.1% vs. 0.2%).

"The data about methamphetamine abuse in the Native American community are troubling," Kerlikowske said. "This ad campaign will supplement the important work for prevention and treatment already being done by the Native American community, local prevention groups, law enforcement, and treatment providers."

The Native American Anti-Meth Campaign, in its third year coordinated by ONDCP's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, is the only national anti-meth advertising campaign tailored to reach both youth and adults in Indian Country and Alaska Native lands. The campaign includes TV commercials, print and radio ads, and billboard advertising in 15 states: Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Wyoming, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Utah. The ads will run until August, and Native groups and others will be able to download and use the ads as free PSAs in their local communities.

"This ad campaign is very important to Indian Country," stated Larry Echo Hawk, Assistant Secretary -- Indian affairs for the U.S. Department of the Interior. "Drug abuse is always a disturbing issue to confront for any community, and methamphetamine abuse is something we need to address with an aggressive approach."